Groshan qualifies for Elks Hoop Shoot National Finals

JANESVILLE--A free throw can be the most pressure-packed shot in basketball.

It is the only skill that the offensive player controls in its entirety. There is no movement to counteract, there is no reaction to the defense, and there is no adjustment for range. Free-throw shooting is the same skill over and over.

Noah Groshan has mastered that skill.

The 10-year-old Janesville resident qualified for the Elks Hoop Shoot National Finals by winning the North Central Regional earlier this month. Groshan made 21 out of 25 free throws at the regional meet, including his last 13, to earn one of 12 spots in the national finals. Groshan is the only Wisconsin boy or girl to qualify for the national meet that features six divisions for boys and girls from ages 8 to 13.

Groshan, the son of Mark and Sherrie Groshan, will compete in the 10-11 age group at the national meet on April 12 in Springfield, Mass. He won local, district and state competitions in advancing to the North Central Regional, making the most free throws out of 25 attempts at each event.

On April 12, fans can follow Noah's progress by using the live Elks Hoop Shoot shot tracker. Visit www.elks.org/hoopshoot to send an e-greeting to Noah and to learn more about the Elks Hoop Shoot.